Orlando Family Secrets
Living it up in O-Town
Our tips are based both on personal experience and a survey of hundreds of
local residents. Concerning dining endorsements, we always defer to local
experts -- and our experts in Orlando are a trustworthy, albeit motley,
crew! Representing a sample of typical folks who call Orlando home, our
consulting team of hospitality industry employees, professional athletes and
local moms has the low-down on the latest and greatest!
Kids can celebrate their birthday at a character meal at Chef Mickey's at
Disney's Contemporary Resort.
When asked which character meals are the best of the bunch for families, our
experts heartily recommend Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
The resident characters are classic Disney -- Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip
and Dale -- and kids love it! Kathryn Sweeney, a former Walt Disney Food and
Beverage recruiter agrees. She takes visitors to Chef Mickey's "for
character visits, fresh buffet food and a lower buffet where the children
can see and reach the food."
If your child is celebrating a birthday around the time of your visit, be
sure to alert the staff -- each birthday child receives a rousing serenade
along with a special treat! Character breakfasts at Chef Mickey's, served
from 7:30 to 11:30 am daily, cost $16.99 for adults and $8.99 for ages three
to 11. Dinner (when Donald Duck chimes in) is $23.99 for adults, $10.99 for
ages three to 11. Dinner hours are 5 pm to 9:30 pm. For reservations, call
(407) WDW-DINE up to 90 days prior to your preferred reservation date.
If you are going to just one dinner show, Sweeney recommends The Hoop-Dee-Do
Musical Review. The dinner, located at Pioneer Hall at Disney's Fort
Wilderness Resort, is a lively wild- west production where audience
participation is encouraged. Slapstick humor is served up heartily, along
with all-you-can-eat chuck wagon-style grub, such as barbecue ribs, fried
chicken and corn-on-the-cob. There are two seatings nightly: at 5 and 7:15
pm. Prices are $47.80 for ages 12 and over and $24.81 for ages three to 11.
For reservations, call (407) WDW-DINE up to 90 days prior to your preferred
reservation date.
When vacationing in Orlando, we usually strive to try two or three new
restaurants. Our four-year old, who is generally a good eater, tends to go
on jags where a particular food is requested morning, noon and night! There
is no way to predict what the preferred item of the week might be. For this
reason, we like to have a handful of tried and true kid-friendly venues, in
the event that Mom and Dad need a night "out". They are:
8849 International Drive, Orlando, 32819; (407) 248-2499
8735 Vineland Ave., Orlando, 32821; (407)938-9010
www.bahamabreeze.com
This Caribbean-themed chain was conceived by Orlando's own Darden Restaurant
Group. It remains a standout with local chefs and tourists, who favor its
casual upbeat atmosphere and creatively presented dishes. Our favorite place
to sit is on the open-air patio, where steel drum bands frequently provide
the nightly entertainment. Be forewarned -- you can order only from the
appetizer menu outdoors. You can order kids meals here, though, all of which
come with fruit. We adults are perfectly happy to make a meal out of a
couple of appetizers (Orlando Magic Small Forward Monty Williams recommends
the beef patties), and eat alfresco while swaying to the rhythm of the
Caribbean beat.
Crossroads Plaza, 12547 State Rd. 535
Lake Buena Vista, 32836
(407) 827-1052
www.chevys.com
With food this fresh, it's hard to believe that this Lake Buena Vista eatery
is but one in a chain of locations! The Kids Menu features cheeseburgers and
chicken bites, along with Tex-Mex favorites like burritos, tacos and
flautas. Be sure to ask for a ball of tortilla dough for the kids to play
with while they wait. Check out the authentic tortilla press located near
the kitchen -- if you're lucky, you can watch tortillas being made.
Bubbbalou's Bodacious Barbecue
Shoppes of Turkey Lake, 5818 Conroy Rd
(407)295-1212
www.bubbalouscatering.com
Serving up southern- style smoked meats and mean greens, this Orlando eatery
is Orlando Magic Power Forward Pat Garrity's favorite barbecue joint. The
atmosphere in the picnic table-outfitted communal dining room is comfortable
and congenial, and the food is fantastic. Try any of the daily specials,
offered from 10 am to 2 pm or "until gone." For $4.99, you can sample such
delectable home-cooked favorites as chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and
baked turkey and dressing. Specials include two sides and a corn muffin.
Kids options include a child's chicken plate, with fries, bread and a soft
drink for $2.79, and a Corn dog with fries and a soft drink, for $2.79.
Disney's Contemporary Resort
(407) WDW-DINE
Central Floridians flock here (if they manage to get a reservation!) for
seasonal cuisine with a gourmet twist. Although kids are welcome here, this
is primarily an adult venue. Sweeney recommends the bonsai roll, a signature
pork tenderloin preparation over polenta.
937 W SR 436
Altamonte Springs, 32714
(407) 869-1233
Former Orlando Miracle Head Coach Carolyn Peck claims this is the best deal
in Orlando, for the kids buffet price. Local sushi fans and seafood lovers
find the price hard to beat as well, both for the quality and selection of
this "crazy" buffet. The 20-minute trek from Lake Buena Vista to this
upscale Asian buffet is well worth the effort. A Japanese-style Hibachi
grill offers cooked-to-order items, and a chef entertains with a food show
every 10 to 15 minutes. Weekends feature a virtual seafood feast, with
mounds of snow crab legs, half-shell oysters, fresh fish, jumbo cocktail
shrimp, crawfish and a wonderful selection of sushi and sashimi. Buffet
prices range from $15 to $25 for adults and $5 for kids.
692 W. Robinson Street
Orlando 32801
Cash only; Call (407) 841-0717 to hear the daily menu and place take-out
orders.
Orlando Magic Point Guard Darryl Armstrong goes to Johnson's Diner for stew
beef and other dishes that say home cooking. Located downtown, near the
Orlando Science Center.
2461 Hiawassee Rd.
Orlando, 32855
(407) 295-9999
Located near the gated community of Isleworth, home to many of Orlando's
professional athletes, Sam Snead's Tavern is a great spot for celebrity
sightings and big juicy cheeseburgers. Orlando Magic Point Guard Darryl
Armstrong takes the kids here often, and NCAAl football coach Lou Holtz has
been known to stop in.
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Family Vacations: Getting Along
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